Welcome to 50 For 50 | Life, Music, & Friendship
Jan. 15, 2026

Funk, Soul, and Solo Success: The Lionel Richie and Commodores Journey | The Playlist

Funk, Soul, and Solo Success: The Lionel Richie and Commodores Journey | The Playlist

When Mike and I started our conversation about Lionel Richie on our 50 For 50 podcast, I asked Mike if he thought Lionel was a bit corny. And that wasn't meant as a dig at Lionel. I think it's something that's unique about the man. When everyone was trying to be cool, he was being a little different. Maybe he was trying to be cool and it just wasn't cool. But it was always something that endeared him to me.

Remember when he said the word, "Outrageous" at the American Music Awards a bunch of times?

That's my guy right there.

On our Top 5 episode, Mike and I didn't just have a list for our Lionel songs. We also put a list together for The Commodores. 

Here are those playlists (first Spotify and then Apple Music), mixed together by the mix-tape-ologist himself, Mike Joseph.

 

Related Episode

Jan. 13, 2026

Top 5 Lionel Richie Songs: Solo & Commodores Classics | 50 For 50

Looking for the ultimate Lionel Richie playlist? Garrett Gonzales and Mike Joseph count down the top 5 solo hits and Commodores classics that defined an era of soul and pop. Whether you are a die-hard fan of 70s funk or 80s ballads, narrowing down a legendary catalog is a challenge. In this episode of Top 5, Garrett and Mike tackle the impossible task of ranking the best work from one of music’s most iconic figures. We break down the evolution from the gritty groove of "Brick House" to the glob...